BMW’s mid-weight sports tourer to be called F 850 RS

At the last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, BMW Motorrad unveiled the stunning 9Cento (nuvo cento) concept. Well, the concept will see the light of the day soon, as a few patent images and even spy shots of the bike being tested have surfaced online. A leaked brochure suggests the German marque will name this bike F 850 RS. While BMW denies this development, we feel the bike is likely to debut at this year’s EICMA.

What is the 9Cento concept?

The 9Cento took cues from the S 1000 XR, a sports tourer based on the S 1000 RR. The concept featured the same headlight design from the S 1000 XR. The 9Cento also had the floating side panels. However, the bodywork tapered towards the rear unlike the S 1000 XR’s wide tail. The 9Cento concept also had the unique panniers that doubled up as a seat. Other bits included carbonfibre-reinforced plastics for the frame triangle and a unique-looking LED tail light. But well, how much of this will finally make it to the production bike still remains a question.

The F 850 RS

The production bike, as seen in the leaked patent images doesn’t seem to be radically different from the concept, but there are a few subtle changes that can be viewed from the naked eye. The windscreen, for example, doesn’t seem to be an adjustable unit like that on the concept. The underbelly exhaust has been ditched for a conventional, side-slung unit as on the S 1000 XR. Those unique side panniers? Well, sadly, they might not make it to the production bike either, with BMW opting for a wider, traditional single-piece saddle. The subframe is expected to be revised as well. Lastly, the sleek taillight from the 9Cento has been replaced by a licence-plate holder-mounted unit a la the G 310 R.

Though no engine details are revealed, the bike is likely to be powered by the F 850 GS’ 853cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin motor. The F 850 GS generates 93bhp and 92Nm of peak twist, making it peppy enough for road, as well as off-road usage.

The spy shots suggest the bike is very close to production guise and we can safely assume that BMW Motorrad will showcase it at 2019 EICMA. When launched, the motorcycle will go up against the Ducati Multistrada 950. India launch may happen a year later and we can’t wait to hop on to this motorcycle.